"It's a challenge you have to relish as a professional footballer," he told the club's official website.

"There's always competition and there's always someone out for the same spot as you.

"It's been a great start to the season and we're playing really well, so that makes the competition even harder.

"The atmosphere is great. We're towards the top of the table and that's where we want to be. We know it's a massive competition up there and there are some very strong clubs."

Allen understands Brendan Rodgers' decision to slowly re-introduce him into the first-team squad, and hopes to be afforded more minutes as he looks to regain some match fitness.

The former Swansea man added: "I think when you've had a little bit of a lay-off, you miss a little bit of that sharpness and your match fitness is obviously a little bit down, but I'm working on that and I'm getting back to where I want to be.

"The idea is to get more minutes on the pitch. I've just got to make sure I train hard and put my name forward for selection as much as I can."